The Act Three Plan

After digging deep down and finding the emotional strength to continue, the protagonist puts a new plan into action, using everything he’s learned over the course of the novel. Like the act two choice, this is a conscious decision by the protagonist that will pit him against the antagonist in the climax. Why the act three plan is important: This sets the protagonist on the path to face the antagonist and resolve the core conflict of the novel. It’s when he uses his experiences in the book to achieve his goal.

Key Elements of the Act Three Plan

Merging old ideas and beliefs with new ideas and beliefs learned in the novel

Gathering allies to help defeat the antagonist

Overcoming past fears and embracing the protagonist’s new self

A “do-or-die” mentality

The act three plan is the moment when everything falls into place for the protagonist. He finally knows who he is and what he’s supposed to do, and he sets off to accomplish that. There can still be plenty of uncertainty and even fear on the protagonist’s part, but most of that personal self doubt is typically gone by now. The remaining fear is for the antagonist and the ability to win, not the fear of not being good enough to even try.

The plan is usually ambitious, clever, and unexpected, even though it also feels inevitable. This is what the protagonist and the supporting characters were meant to do all along. The plan may or may not be revealed to readers at this point, and often the actual details are kept secret, even though the general idea is mentioned to help drive the plot forward. It’s up to you how much to reveal.

One thing to remember is that the plan doesn’t have to be something that will actually work if you want to surprise the protagonist in the climax and force him to think on the run. What’s important is that the protagonist thinks it will work. Once the climax starts, plans can fail and the protagonist must revise in a hurry to win.

Here are some things to consider while developing your act three plan:

1. What weaknesses might the protagonist have discovered about the antagonist that could be exploited?

2. What was the protagonist afraid to do before, but now has the courage to try?

3. How have the protagonist’s old and new beliefs merged?

4. What insight has this new outlook given the protagonist?

5. What has to be done to reach the antagonist?

6. What skills might the protagonist use to defeat the antagonist?

EXERCISE: Describe what your protagonist plans to do to reach and defeat the antagonist.

Be as detailed or as vague as you’d like. Consider how this plan will lead to the climax of the novel.

If you’re not sure how much to write, aim for one to two paragraphs that describe how the protagonist’s dark night has given him new insights into what has to be done to win, how to go about reaching the antagonist, and what might be required to defeat her. Writing more is also acceptable if you want to continue with how the plot would unfold to the next major turning point.

Those following along with the PYN book: Workshop Ten goes into more depth on the individual turning points of story structure, as well and the basics of scene and sequel structure. It also shares tips on plotting and story development.

Tomorrow, we’ll look at that all-important climax.

Follow along at home with the book, Plotting Your Novel: Ideas and Structure. Get
more brainstorming questions and things to think about,
in-depth articles, and clear examples of every step from idea to
novel.

Go
step-by-step through plotting and writing a novel. Learn how to find
and develop ideas, brainstorm stories from that first spark of
inspiration, develop the right characters, setting, plots and subplots,
as well as teach you how to identify where your novel fits in the
market, and if your idea has what it takes to be a series.

With clear and easy-to-understand examples, Plotting Your Novel: Ideas and Structure offers ten self-guided workshops with more than 100 different exercises to help you craft a solid novel. Learn how to:

Create compelling characters readers will love

Choose the right point of view for your story

Determine the conflicts that will drive your plot (and hook readers!)

Find the best writing process for your writing style

Create a solid plot from the spark of your idea

Plotting Your Novel: Ideas and Structure also
helps you develop the critical elements for submitting and selling your
novel once it’s finished. You’ll find exercises on how to:

Craft your one-sentence pitch

Create your summary hook blurb

Develop a solid working synopsis And so much more!

Plotting Your Novel: Ideas and Structure is an easy-to-follow guide to writing your novel or fixing a novel that isn’t quite working.

Janice Hardy is the award-winning author of the teen fantasy trilogy The Healing Wars, including The Shifter, Blue Fire, and Darkfall from Balzer+Bray/Harper Collins. The Shifter, was chosen for the 2014 list of "Ten Books All Young Georgians Should Read" from the Georgia Center for the Book.